This year, Wikipedia’s user base has decreased due to the inclusion of artificial intelligence summaries in search engine results.  AI-generated summaries that pop up on search engines like Bing and Google often use bots called web crawlers to gather much of the information that users read at the top of the search results.

When people search with AI, they’re less likely to click through

There is now promising research on the impact of generative AI on the internet, especially concerning online publishers with business models that rely on users visiting their webpages.

Pew Research evaluated browsing data from 900 US adults and discovered that the AI-generated summaries at the top of Google’s search results influenced web usage.  When the summary appeared in a search, people were less likely to click on links than when the summaries were not there. Google search is especially important, because Google.com is the world’s most visited website it’s how most of us find what we’re looking for on the internet.

LLMs, AI chatbots, search engines and social platforms that use Wikipedia content must encourage more visitors to Wikipedia, so that the free knowledge that so many people and platforms depend on can continue to flow sustainably,” Miller wrote. “With fewer visits to Wikipedia, fewer volunteers may grow and enrich the content, and fewer individual donors may support this work.

The growing influence of AI-generated summaries and shifting user behavior on social platforms marks a major turning point for the open web. As search engines increasingly provide answers without directing users to source websites, platforms like Wikipedia and the publishers who depend on traffic face significant challenges in sustainability, visibility, and content contribution.

With younger generations favoring short-form video information and AI tools minimizing click-through, the traditional ecosystem of knowledge sharing is being reshaped. For the future of free and reliable information, tech companies, publishers, and AI developers will need to collaborate on new models that respect original sources, support content creators, and ensure that platforms like Wikipedia can continue to thrive.

Related FAQs

Why is Wikipedia’s traffic declining?

Wikipedia’s traffic is declining mainly because AI-generated summaries in search results now provide direct answers. Users no longer need to click through to the original Wikipedia pages to get information.

How do AI summaries affect Wikipedia page views?

When search engines like Google or Bing show AI-generated summaries at the top, users get instant information. Research shows that people click fewer links when summaries appear, reducing traffic to sites like Wikipedia.

Why is this decline a concern for Wikipedia?

Wikipedia depends on visitors for contributions and donations. Fewer visits mean fewer volunteers updating content and fewer donors supporting the platform financially.

Will AI completely replace Wikipedia?

AI will not replace Wikipedia, but it will change how people access information. Wikipedia will remain a core source, but its visibility may decrease unless new strategies ensure users continue visiting the site.

If you want to know more about our blogs, feel free to connect with our LinkedIn page.